Trip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah

We have been all over the last several weeks. Pretty much everywhere but home and together, with the rare exception of this moment (well, besides the home part.) I am on a late-night babysitting job and Jacob graciously agreed to come with me. So I am blogging and he is playing Plants vs. Zombies. Oh, the life.

First up was a Palmer family (my mother's side) reunion in the Flagstaff, AZ area. We used to have these every summer over the 4th of July with all my grandmother's eight kids and their kids at my Uncle Grant's cabin. Now the grand kids have kids and needless to say, we were LONG overdue for another reunion.

There were lots of cute babies: my cousins Timmy, Jordan, Greg, and Allison all had little girls within about a year of each other.

This one's Timmy's. Little Katie Ray. She is like the 5th grandchild, or something, named for my grandmother, Kathleen Ray. I am the 2nd--my middle name is Kathleen. (In the background you can see Alison's, little Reese Lucinda.)

This one's Jordan's, little Sadie Ilafawn. I had brought my crocheting and all the little girls there got so into it! I made the hat Katie is wearing and this one, too, but it's just a touch small as I was running out of yarn. Luckily Sadie is a very good sport!

Lots of great singing and guitar/ukulele playing:

My mother's oldest brother, Grant Palmer.

My mother Lana and her twin sister Lila.

And card-playing and socializing.

My grandmother, Kathleen Ray (my mom's' mom), and Aunt Lila. (Shaylene, Timmy, and Katie are in the background.)

After Flagstaff, we got to spend a day or two at home in Mesa. When we were living in AZ last year, every Sunday my niece here, McKenna, and I would swing on the back porch swing. I didn't care how hot it was, I loved having her on my lap and telling me all the sounds of animals and airplanes that she heard. She is so bright and observant. So whenever I'm in town and get the chance, I ask her if she wants to swing with me. I am so happy she takes me up on it. I love this girl.

And here's her little sister Chantelle with her beautiful mom.

About two weeks ago I was lucky enough to go to Utah! I got a call from my talent agent in Salt Lake to do another commercial spot for Larry H. Miller, a job I had done a couple of times before, but not for three years. I was thrilled they'd have me back and since Jacob was already making the trek to St. George, and it would give me an opportunity to visit my Rich and Loretta, AND see my new nephew Parker, I jumped on it.

We had a ball. They treated me like a total queen. I slept in the girls room, all to myself, while the little girls slept on a mattress in their parents' room. They are all the most generous hosts. I've told them next time I come, I am sleeping on the LoveSack in the basement. Those sweet little girls were so happy to share their room with me!

So without further ado, HERE HE IS!! My little man!

Jonathan Paker Moffat

Isn't he adorablewonderfuljuicyandloveable? When I first drove up, Rich and Lo were running a little neighborhood block party and I remember being anxious and maybe a little nervous to meet Parker. It had been nine months since he was born and I have been lucky enough to see pictures, but it's different meeting him for the first time. He was laying on the grass and Lo said, "Here's Parker," and I was so, SO happy to see him. I picked him up and it just felt so good to hold him. He put me at ease right away by spitting up about 2 minutes into my holding him. Takes a special person to share such a personal side with. Yeah, we're tight like that.

And I'm certainly not the only one smitten with him.


He is such a pro in this little bouncy thing. He and Jacie are really close. Loretta says he does this special laugh only for Jacie. It's darling to see.

On top of everything, they took me to Lagoon. I can't believe them. In all my years living in Utah, I'd never gone, so it was fun to get the chance.

They have swans!

SOOO cute! Strangers in the park stopped to say so.

Jacie rode everything. She is fearless, always has been. I knew that from the day she did a front flip in our family room when she was three years old. Nothing stops this girl.

Cameron had never been on a roller coaster. There was a little dragon one that she kept eyeing and Rich and Lo wanted her to try it out, you know, go for it. She said no, but kept staring at it. Finally about 20 mintues later after we'd left to another ride, she said she wanted to go on it with me! I was so excited to get to do "a first" with her! So here we are in line. Isn't she adorable in this photo? She is such a doll.

The ride started and she immediately started screaming, "I want my mom!!! I want to get off!!" I was so afraid she'd be scarred for life. I held her as tight as I could and promised her she'd be okay. It was so cute to see her entire family cheering her on each time we went around. They were all smiling and laughing. The ride circled four perilous times, and when it stopped she blurted out this laugh/cough that seemed an equal mix of relief and delight. I asked her if she liked it, she nodded, and then popped off that ride like she'd conquered the world.

Jacie came running up to her afterward and hugged her and told her how brave she was. They are such a special family. It was so cute to see this little moment and how they all support each other.

Oh yes, and we made cupcakes. Loretta is always doing things for other people, always an over-achiever with none of the fanfare. She is such a devoted mom. Every day was kids' day for this family. And these were delicious!

On the way home I got to stop for a quick dinner in Provo at Guru's with my best friend from high school, Aileena. I got to see her new apartment (so darling) and the little nursery for her baby Audrey who was due in one week. Last night (Monday, July 26) I got the wonderful news that Audrey was born and mommy, daddy, and baby were all well and happy. I am so happy I got to share in her birthday and I wish them all the very best!!!

Whew!!
And guess what, folks. There's still more.

GIRLS CAMP!

Yes, I know I'm in the primary. AND I'm really not a camper. Don't own a sleeping bag or tent, don't really care to. Not a wilderness pro and don't mind not being so one bit. But the girls needed a second leader and when they asked me, I figured I'd better go. It is SO MUCH WORK but I'm glad I could be there and help and happy they'd have me.

These were all of the girls that came in our ward, plus Kirsten Heder, my saving, camping-loving grace.

This was the lodge. Yes, a lodge. At Camp Hinckley. Yes, a camp built especially for the purposes of LDS girls camp.

And this was the view from our cabin. No joke.

Did I mention there was also a pool?

Whenever any camper complained I was quick to tell them about my girls camp, where we slept in tents, used outhouses, had restricted 3-min. showers that they would pull you out of when time was up, and service projects that consisted of picking up cowpies.

And this was our cabin. The girls in our ward were WONDERFUL. They were full of kind things to say and do for eachother. They really were absolute angels.

And that about catches us up. Jacob is in St. George now (since it's now Tuesday and I started this post on Saturday) until shooting begins in two weeks. Just enough time to recoop for the next big event. What a trip!